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In a bid to paint the country with splashes of greenery and improve Bahrain's environment, Riffa Views undertook a commemorative tree-planting initiative over the past four months.
The Riffa Views Eden Challenge Tree-planting Initiative saw scores of children, parents, schools and communities come together to make Bahrain a greener and healthier place.
In September 2007, the Riffa Views Eden Challenge project was launched as part of the development's title sponsorship of the Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show 2008 (RVBIGS).
The competition required pupils aged between six and 18 to design and create artworks and schemes which demonstrated creativity, imagination and an awareness of environmental issues. The winning entries were then reproduced and displayed at the RVBIGS 08.
Riffa Views chief executive officer Richard Browning said: "As part of our commitment to the RVBIGS 2008 we wanted to get as many people involved in the show as possible and, in particular, the school children.
The Riffa Views Eden Challenge aimed at encouraging children to develop a sense of responsibility to their environment and we were delighted with the level of interest shown."
In November 2007, Riffa Views Signature Estates announced that 64 private and government schools in Bahrain registered to participate in the Eden Challenge. With a total of 138 entries, the Challenge was an inspiring project that reached out to the local community through a range of educational environmental initiatives.
In January this year, Riffa Views launched the Eden Challenge Tree Planting Initiative as part of its commitment to all the schools that registered to participate in the Eden Challenge project. In addition to planting a tree in each school, a tree will also be planted in a special Education Grove within Riffa Views Signature Estates.
Each school also received a commemorative plaque in recognition of the environmental commitment shown by all the school children that participated in the project.
As part of the tree planting initiative, Mr Browning, together with Hugh O'Shea, sales and marketing director, visited 64 schools for the planting of 88 trees.
The first tree planting was done at Al Naseem International School and was placed in the ground by principal, Sameera Al Kooheji, and Mr Browning. The first tree planting followed two weeks of intensive preparatory groundwork.
In March, the Tree Planting Initiative ended with the last tree being planted during a closing ceremony held at Al Khawarizmi Boy's School. To celebrate the occasion, the pupils acted a special performance highlighting some Bahraini traditions including reading Surahs from the Holy Qur‡n, pearl diving and basket weaving.
Aisha Hilal, principal of the Al Khawarizmi Boy's School commented: "We participated in the Riffa Views Eden Challenge to encourage our children to be more caring about the environment.
"Through this tree planting initiative we were able to get the message across to the students that we need their help in improving the environment. Our school already runs an internal gardening programme and this tree planting will certainly highlight how trees can enhance our gardens."
Mr Browning said: "The tree planting initiative has given us the opportunity to make a lasting footprint on the environment and to nurture a new generation of environmentally aware children.
"We like to lead by example, and we would encourage other companies to join the effort in supporting local environmental initiatives. With every tree planted, an investment is being made in the future for the health of Bahrain's community."
